Entertainment countdown under way

Grand finale will include balloon drop at the Kent City Center Auditorium

December 30, 2012

SALEM - New Year's Eve Salem will have its own version of the celebration at Times Square, with a grand finale and balloon drop at the Kent City Center Auditorium beginning at 11 p.m. and ending after midnight.

Performers from the different venues will gather together and do short sets, culminating with the balloon drop and the singing of Auld Lang Syne, a New Year's Eve standard anywhere.

The evening begins, though, with six different venues catering to the discriminating tastes of the revelers, whether they prefer rock 'n roll, bluegrass, country, gospel, folk or family style with a little magic and ventriloquism. Model train lovers and people with a penchant for the past also have venues to visit.

Tickets remain on sale for $8 each or children 10 and under free when accompanied by a ticket-bearing adult. Veterans can also get free admission. Ticket outlets include Salem Giant Eagle, Salem Community Center, Salem Chamber of Commerce, all Salem banks, and the Salem Historical Society.

The Kent City Center Auditorium rock 'n roll venue on Lincoln Avenue opens at 6 p.m. Monday with the Sugartree Alley steel drum band, followed by Beatles tribute band Abbey Road with local member John Gilbert, and special guest, World War II veteran Robert Zelenak, at 7 p.m. and Abbey Road again at 9 p.m. The Tribute Band featuring local longtime rocker Randy Strader, his sons Jeff and Brandon and grandson Mike Chestnut will perform at 8 and 10 p.m. Stormn Normn will take the stage between sets.

The bluegrass and country music venue at the Masonic Temple on East State Street also kicks off at 6 p.m. with Allegheny Drifters, who will perform again at 8:30 p.m., followed by local popular country artist Zach Paxson at 6:50 and 9:20 p.m. and the Stockdale Family Band at 7:40 and 10:10 p.m. Paxson has a following and the Stockdale Family has performed at New Year's Eve Salem all nine years.

Fact Box

New Year's Eve Salem

- When: 4:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Monday,

Dec. 31.

- Admission: Adults, $8 at venues; children 10 and under free with a paid adult. All food at additional cost.

The Episcopal Church of Our Savior, also on East State Street, will feature gospel and hymns, with the new group, the Loving God Quartet at 6 and 8:30 p.m., Linda Sigismondi and Bill Schilling and folks at 6:50 p.m., God's Quad at 7:40 and 10:10 p.m. and local singer Ted Thorne at 9:20 p.m.

The Memorial Building will be the site for the children's venue, featuring the Jason Alan magic show in the gym at 5:30 p.m., ventriloquist Daniel Jay at 6:30 p.m. in the gym and Chip Richter and the Chipmunks Band at 7:30 p.m. in the gym. The gym fun ends with a ball drop, then moves to the Red Room on the top floor of the Memorial Building for some folk music by Dulci-More at 8:30 and 10:10 p.m. and Linda Sigismondi and Bill Schilling at 9:20 p.m.

The Sugartree Alley Depot Model Train Display at the back of Fred Naragon's law office will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. with the entrance off of the alley. The Salem Historical Society venue at the Dale Shaffer Research Library meeting room off of South Lundy Avenue will be open from 4:30 to 8 p.m. with a show featuring the Music and Toys of the Baby Boomers. The display will also be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 if weather permits.

Admission tickets don't cover the cost of the food offerings at each site, which will carry a separate price. Each venue will feature pizza and soft drinks. The Salem Area Amateur Radio Association will offer a hot dog bar in Room 207, south of the auditorium in the Kent City Center, featuring hot dogs, cheese dogs, chili dogs, kraut dogs and kielbasa.

The Masonic Temple will feature a more traditional meal of turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, beans, cake and drink or a turkey sandwish and separate sides.